On Oct. 5, 2026, Pennsylvania’s health department reported 1,004 measles cases as of Monday, as the state ​grapples with a fast-growing outbreak.

Five Pennsylvania ‌residents have died after contracting the highly contagious disease, as cases in the US reach their highest ​level in more than three decades. The ​Pennsylvania measles cases include 198 hospitalizations, according ⁠to the health department’s website.

Lancaster county ​remains the hardest-hit area in the state ​with 391 cases All five people who have died from the disease in Pennsylvania this year were unvaccinated.

The ​US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ​(CDC) has confirmed only two measles-related deaths in the country this ‌year, ⁠without naming the states The CDC has recorded 3,887 measles cases in 2026 so far — the most since the major resurgence between ​1989 and ​1991, when ⁠55,000 infections and 123 deaths were recorded. The CDC has said ​it was working with state epidemiologists ​on ⁠a standard definition for measles-related deaths

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease but preventable with ⁠the ​measles, mumps and rubella ​vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.